A very acute crisis is unfolding in Iran, the likes of which have not been seen since the assassination of Khamenei Sr.
According to a report this evening (Thursday) by Ehud Yaari on Channel 12, Muhammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of parliament and the man who has so far managed the contacts with the United States and the negotiations in Pakistan - has announced his retirement.
The reason for the dramatic step is his refusal to accept the increasing interference of generals from the Revolutionary Guards - including prominent names such as Ahmad Vahidi and Abdollahian.
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According to Yaari's information, the generals are infiltrating the decision-making processes and denying Qalibaf the room for maneuver required to manage the negotiations.
According to the report, the incident that was the "straw that broke the camel's back" was the failure of a Qatari proposal: The Americans would allow free passage for 20 ships departing from Iranian ports. In return, Iran would commit to allowing safe passage for 20 ships from the Arab Gulf states through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Yaari, the one who thwarted the deal was Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was previously considered an ally of Qalibaf, and now chose to align himself with the hardline line of the Revolutionary Guards, thereby torpedoing the initiative.
Currently, there is no single entity in Iran that is authorized or capable of making a decision.
